God bless our officers

Letter to the editor

Updated 11:21 am, Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Cops Under Fire

To Whom It May Concern,

Listen to the news and we hear two police officers were shot while sitting in a car. A cop stops someone for a traffic violation, a burned out tail light, and gets shot. You get the point. We wonder “if” it will ever change. If we did not have law enforcement officers we would return to the days of the wild west.

As a mother of a retired deputy of 25 years with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, recently he accepted part-time position with a small rural police department. In addition, our 35-year-old grandson is a cop in the city of Warren. Another 33-year-old grandson works in the police department office of a metro area and wears a bullet proof vest.

We know what law enforcement officers go through every day and every day we pray for their safety. Usually, people bad mouth cops as when they get a ticket. Only when needed do people appreciate police. If it was my choice, no one in my family would be a cop.

An Inkster police officer was fired from the department after being captured on dash cam video beating a motorist. He was a 47-year-old married father. He was in the U.S. Military and law enforcement. Fourteen police awards — once being named police officer of the year and rescuing three elderly tenants from a burning building. When the officer stood before the judge he read this poem. Do read the following. It may change your perception of police officers.

“The Final Inspection”

The policeman stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining.

Just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, policeman.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My church have you been true?”

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,

Because those of us who carry badges

can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,

and at times my talk was rough,

and sometimes I’ve been violent,

Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,

That wasn’t mine to keep. ...

Though I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around

Except to calm their fear.

If you’ve a place for me here,

Lord, It needn’t be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don’t ... I’ll understand.

There was silence all around the throne

Where the saints had often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, policeman,

You’ve borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets,

You’ve done your time in hell.”

— Author Unknown

My letter was written just prior to the Texas massacre. May God bless and keep all police officers safe.